U.S. Says Syria Delaying Chemical Disarmament

The U.S. blamed Syria's Assad regime for intentionally delaying efforts to remove chemical arms from the country for destruction, suggesting that the goal of liquidating the arsenal by midyear is in jeopardy.

The comments on Thursday mark a sharp change of tone from the Obama administration, which would face a stark choice if it concludes President Bashar al-Assad isn't cooperating with the disarmament process. Until now, diplomats...